Kennedy Center names 2026 lifetime achievement honorees and changes venue

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and President Donald Trump announced on Monday the five honorees for the 49th Kennedy Center Honors. The 2026 lifetime achievement recipients are singer-songwriter Paul Anka, record producer and composer David Foster, actor Andy Garcia, playwright David Mamet, and singer Barbara Mandrell. The Washington Examiner, PBS NewsHour, UPI, Variety, The New York Times, The Hollywood Reporter, Billboard, People.com, and Playbill all reported the announcement. [1][2][4][5][6][8][9][10][11]

UPI reported that the ceremony is scheduled to take place in Washington, D.C., on December 7. The Washington Examiner and PBS NewsHour reported that the event will be held away from the performing arts venue at Capital One Arena next month. PBS NewsHour noted this is the first time the ceremony will be held offsite, as Donald Trump fights a federal court battle concerning his plans to renovate the Kennedy Center building and add his name to it. [1][2][4][10]

The Washington Examiner reported that Paul Anka, David Mamet, and David Foster have each publicly supported Donald Trump, who serves as the head of the Kennedy Center Board. The Washington Examiner and Variety both reported that the list of honorees was selected by Trump and the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees. [1][5]

The Kennedy Center is a cultural center located on the bank of the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., that opened in September 1971. Capital One Arena is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, D.C., that originally opened in December 1997. [12][13]